Cooling bed for rolled workpieces



Aug. 9, 1966 E. HElN ETAL COOLING BED FOR ROLLED WORKPIECES z Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. L3, 1964 INVENTORS EWALD HEIN, ERNST KLEIN & BY WALTER KRAMER 24 at 7241;;

THEJ R ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1966 E. HEIN ETAL COOLING BED FOR ROLLED WORKPIECES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l3, 1964 m m w m y WALTER KRAMER United States latent O ,77 5 Claims. (Cl. 198-407) This invention relates to a cooling bed, and more particularly to a rake-type cooling bed for bar mills with at least one receiving trough arranged in front, into which the rolled strands are conveyed by conveying rollers, and when lifted off the latter, they are decelerated or braked by means of raisable slide elements and, if necessary, ejected onto a nearby straightening plate and whereby the braked rolled strands can subsequently be lifted out through the oscillating rake at right angles to their longitudinal direction of movement. In the modern bar mills it is customary to equip the cooling beds to enable them to receive, aside from rounds, squares and fiats, also sections of any kind. In connection therewith the cooling beds must be so designed that rounds and squares can run in at high speed and that angular and section steels can be brought possibly straight and untwisted in front of the cold shear or saw.

In a known cooling bed principle, the rolled stock moved into the receiving trough arranged in front of the bed was lifted off the conveying rollers through the action of a brake slide element (or friction plate) till after a certain braking time it comes to a stop. At this moment the oscillating rake lifted the rolled stock perpendicular to its longitudinal direction of movement out of the receiving trough, so that the latter became free for the next rolled strand. With this design of a cooling bed, it was possible indeed to obtain straight and untwisted angles and other sections, but there is a considerable drawback in that the conveying speeds for rounds and squares could only be kept low. Round and square bars, therefore could not be rolled out at the maximum speed obtainable on the mill, so that the capacity of the latter was not fully utilized and therefore it operated below par, and hence uneconomically.

With another known type of cooling bed, the rolled stock in the receiving trough was at first decelerated to about half the speed with the aid of raisable lifting slide elements, after which, by further raising the lifting slides, it is ejected into the straightening plate adjacent to the receiving trough, where the rolled stock was then braked to a stop. From this straightening plate the rolled stock brought to a complete stop was then lifted out perpendicular to its longitudinal direction with the aid of the oscillating rake. With the use of a cooling bed of this design it was possible, indeed, to work at highest run-up speeds of the rolled stock with normal cooling-bed length, because the receiving trough was already clear of the leading strand when the latter had not yet come to a stop; but here we have the drawback that during their ejection into the straightening plate, the angles and sections are bent and twisted. The bent and twisted rolled stock, however, after it is cooled off, can in many cases not be reshaped through straightening.

Furthermore, the suggestion has been made to arrange in the receiving trough two or several groups of lifting slides next to one another and to so control them in their movement that despite a rapid succession of bars, only one rolled strand at one time for the purpose of lifting out can get to within the motional range of the oscillating rake. In this case, too, it cannot be avoided either that bending and twisting will occur with angular and sectional steels. To be added thereto is the high expenditure 3,265,1d7 Patented August 9, i966 for the control system, because the motional actions of different but cooperating devices must always be synchronized to one another. This fact is especially evident with a mechanical cooling bed in which work is performed with two adjacent receiving troughs and in which the rolled stock is ejected from the one run-up trough into bar holders extending across the other receiving trough. Namely, it is necessary here to block either the strokes of the lifting slides associated with the first receiving trough or the movement of the oscillating rake within certain motional phases, in order to be able to lift the rolled stock either out of the bar holders associated with the one receiving trough or out of the other receiving trough.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of all these known types of cooling beds with oscillating rakes and in addition thereto, to combine their characteristic advantages in a new cooling bed setup. The problem on which the invention is based in one form, therefore, consists of the creation of a rake-type cooling bed in which the rounds and squares arriving at high speed are at first decelerated in their traveling speed through the lifting slides, thereafter they are braked to a stop in an adjacent straightening plate and then seized by the oscillating rake when on the straightening plate. Thus a rake-type cooling bed is to be so designed that the movable rake can be displaced to conform with the sections to be rolled, i.e., it should be possible, selectively, for angle-, U- and T-steels, after braking occurs, to be lifted directly out of the receiving trough, or also rounds, squares and flats after braking to be lifted out of the first groove of the straightening plate, without disturbing the rolled bar following in the receiving trough. The solution of this problem according to the invention is essentially characterized by a relative shiftability of the swinging range of the oscillating rake towards the discharge trough, in such a manner that the first lifting groove is, selectively, either movable only into the straightening plate or into the discharge trough.

The more general idea of the invention, as based on the aforementioned way of solution, is, therefore, to be seen in the fact that for a rake-type cooling bed for bar mills, the oscillating rake for receiving rolled stock arriving at high speed is movable in a different range than for receiving rolled stock arriving at a lower speed.

In a further developement of the inventive idea it is suggested to develop the upper part of the oscillating rake limitedly adjustable in relation to the bottom part holding the swing drive.

It turned out to be useful according to the invention to adjustably guide the upper part of the oscillating rake shiftably in the bottom part and to develop it mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically. In connection therewith it will be appropriate to limit the shifting range of the upper part of the oscillating rake in relation to the bottom part by means of adjustable stops.

The precedingly described rake-type cooling bed has the feature in that the amplitude of swinging rake corresponds somewhat to one divisional spacing of the coolingbed groove. However, it is also possible, through corresponding development of the swing drive, to make the amplitude of the oscillating rake so changeable that through this measure the first lifting-out groove of the oscillating rake is, selectively, movable either only into the range of the straightening plate or also as far as the range of the receiving trough.

The object of the invention will now be described in greater detail by use of the following drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a main view, partially in section, of an embodiment of a rake-type cooling bed according to the invention in a setting for direct engagement into the receiving trough arranged in front,

ening plate 11 (FIGURE 2).

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, representative of the rake-type cooling bed in a setting for engaging the straightening plate groove adjacent to the receiving trough, and

FIGURE 3 is a view of a rake-type cooling bed according to the invention in side elevation, the rake stroke of which is selectively changeable either for engaging the first straightening plate groove or also for directly engaging the receiving trough.

With reference fist to FIGURES 1 and 2, over an approach roller table 1 consisting of a larger number of successively arranged conveying rollers 2 driven by motors 3, the individual rolled bars 4 arrive in a receiving trough 5. This receiving trough 5 is formed by upright sidewalls 6 and 7, and by a bottom plate 8 inclined from the sidewall 6 downwardly towards the sidewall 7. The conveying or feeding rollers 2 of the approach roller table also have an inclined plane corresponding to the bottom plate 8 and with their peripheral surface they rise slightly above the bottom of the trough 5 defined by the plate 8. In a supporting frame 9 of the receiving trough 5 lifting-out slide elements 10 are guided vertically adjustable, directly next to the sidewall 7 of the run-out trough 5. Of these lifting-out slide elements 10, several are arranged in the receiving trough 5 at a distance one after another, whereby in their inclined position drawn in solid lines they form part of the bottom of the trough 5 and are surmounted by the top of the conveying rollers 2. The lifting-out slides 10 can be raised from their lowered position above the top of the conveying rollers 2 to various positions, on the one hand to the intermediate position shown in FIG- URE 1, and on the other hand to the end-position shown by dashed lines in FIGURE 2. In the intermediate position the surface of the lifting-out slides 10 is still surmounted by the sidewall 7 of the receiving trough 5, whereas in the end-position the lifting-out slides 10 are slightly above the sidewall 7 of the receiving trough 5.

Directly adjoining the sidewall 7 of the receiving trough 5 is a downwardly inclined surface 11 forming the first straightening plate of a rake-type cooling bed 12. Directly adjoining the straightening plate 11 are the cheeks 13 with the rigid grooves 14 of the rake-type cooling bed 12. The rigid cheeks 13 of the rake-type cooling bed 12 are held by carriers 15 and by the latter they are supported on foundation posts 16.

Between two rigid cheeks 13 of the cooling bed 12 arranged at a distance next to one another, there is arranged a movable cheek 17 with grooves or rests 18 corresponding to the grooves or rests 14. All movable cheeks 17 are fixed to a common frame 19 and together with the latter they form the actual oscillating or swinging rake 20. The frame 19 of the swinging rake 20 has at its bottom side guide pieces engaging slidably into guides 22 positioned in cross-pieces 23 of a drive frame 24. The drive frame 24, through rollers 25 mounted in its cross-pieces 23 rests on drive eccentrics or earns 26, which in turn, rotatable through drive shafts 27, are supported above bearing blocks 28 on the foundation.

On the frame 19 of the actual swinging rake 20 on the one hand and on the drive frame 24 on the other hand, adjusting drives 30 are engaging, e.g., hydraulic cylinders, adjusting spindles, cams of the like, with the aid of which the oscillating rake 20 on the drive frame 24 can be limitedly shifted somewhat horizontally. The extent of the shift is determined by adjustable stops 29 which, for instance, are seated on the drive frame 24 and cooperate with the guide pieces 21 of the frame 19. The shifting range of the frame 19 in relation to the drive frame 24 is so regulated that the first lifting-up groove 18 of the oscillating rake 20 can be adjusted or shifted selectively either into the range of the run-out trough 5 (FIGURE 1) or into the range of the straight- The range of swing of the oscillating rake 20 is determined by the drive cam 26 and it is so regulated that it corresponds exactly to the divisional spacing between two grooves 14 or 18 following each other. Furthermore, through the action of the drive earns 26, the lifting-out grooves 18, in a way known per se during the forward motion of the oscillating rake, are lowered below the rigid grooves 14, whereas during the backward motion they are lifted up above the latter. This movement, therefore, results in the stepwise transportation of the individual rolled bars across the entire width of the rake-type cooling bed.

If, as shown in FIGURE 1, the rake-type cooling bed is used for conveying angleor section-bars 4, they run over the approach roller table 1 into the receiving trough 5 and by reason of the inclined position of the conveying rollers 2, they slide laterally towards the trough wall 7. As soon as the bar arrives above the lifting-out slide elements 10, the latter are raised above the top of the conveying rollers 2 into the dash-lined position of FIGURE 2 and on these slides 10, the bar 4 will be braked to a complete stop. Thereafter, through the rotation of the drive earns 26, the oscillating rake 20 is lifted up and its first lifting-out groove seizes the angleor section-bar 4 braked to a stop in the receiving trough, lifting it out of there and into the first rigid groove 14 of the rake-type cooling bed formed by the straightening plate 11. In the meantime another angleor section-bar 4 has entered the receiving trough 5 and the lifting-out slide elements 10 have again returned to their lowered position. By raising anew the lifting-out slides 10 this bar 4, too, is braked to a stop in the trough 5 and lifted out therefrom by means of the first lifting-out groove 18 of the oscillating rake 20. With each additional angleor section-bar 4 conveyed into the receiving trough 5, the same motional actions are being executed.

If in lieu of angleor section-bars 4, rounds or squares are being rolled, the latter run at a considerably higher speed into the receiving trough 5. The bar sequence, therefore, is considerably faster than with angleor section-bars. However, since because of the higher delivery speed of the rolled stock, the required braking distance up to the stoppage of each bar 4 is very long, care must be taken that despite thereof, the receiving trough is again clear for the next following rolled bar, so as to prevent operation breakdowns. In order to achieve this, upon entry of each bar 4 into the receiving trough 5, the lifting-out slide elements 10 are at first raised a short while to the position shown in FIGURE 1, till the rolled stock is decelerated to half its travel speed. Thereafter, the lifting-out slides are raised to the dot-and-dash position and therewith the rolled bar 4 is kicked off into the straightening plate 11 where it is braked to a complete stop. During that time a new rolled bar can already have run into the receiving trough 5, which bar, after the lifting-out slide elements 10 have been withdrawn to their lowered position, is given the same treatment. In order to assure that the oscillating rake 20 does not interfere with the entry of the rolled bars into the receiving trough 5, but rather starts the lifting operation only at the straightening plate 11, the frame 19 is pushed back through the shifting drive 30, wherein the guide pieces 21 of the frame 19 move relative to the guides 22 of the drive frame 24. As a result thereof, the first lifting-out groove of the oscillating rake 20 comes to rest fully within the range of the receiving trough 5 and within the range of the straightening plate 11. Without the swing amplitude of the oscillating rake 20 needing a change, it is thus possible in a simple way to lift the rolled material selectively either out of the receiving trough 5 or also out of the straightening plate 11 provided alongside the trough.

The rake-type cooling bed according to FIGURE 3 differs from those of FIGURES 1 and 2 mainly through the fact that the movement of the rake is produced by two drives, whereby the drive mechanism 31 brings about the vertical movement and the drive mechanism 32 brings about the movement in the lateral direction. The drive 32 acts with a crank 33 through a push-rod 34- upon a rocking lever 35, which through another lever 36, keyed with the rocking lever 35 to a common shaft, and through a connecting rod 37 linked to the lever 36 engages the oscillating rake. The rocking lever 35 has a rocker arm 38 in which a sliding block 39 of the push-rod 34 can be shifted vertically through a spindle n). Hinged to the sliding block 35 is the push-rod 34 whereby the application of power on the rocking lever 35 can be shifted. If the sliding block 39 is near the positioning of the rocking lever 35, the latter has a wide swinging range. The greater the distance is set between the positioning of the rocking lever 35' and the sliding block 39, the smaller will be the swinging range of the rocking lever 35. Because the swinging range of the lever 35 depends on that of the rocking lever, a changeable shifting path is forced upon the oscillating rake 12 through the rocking lever-35 and the connecting rod 37. In the position of the sliding block 39 shown in FIGURE 3, the oscillating rake 12 has such a shifting path that its first lifting-out groove 18 can engage as far as directly into the receiving trough 5. If, on the other hand, the sliding block 39 is placed as far as the upper end of the rocker arm 38 the shifting path of the oscillating rake I2 is so regulated that its first lifting-out groove 18 may engage only into the first groove of the straightening plate 11. Also with this design of a rake-type cooling bed it is thus possible in a simple manner to lift angle-, U- and T-steels directly out of the receiving trough, or rounds, squares and fiats out of the first groove of the straightening plate adjacent to the receiving trough.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, we have explained the principle and operation of our invention and have illustrated and described what we consider to represent the best embodiment thereof. However, we desire to have it understood that within the scope of the appended clailns, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

We claim:

ll. In a cooling bed, including a movable workpiece advancing member, for receiving and supporting a rolled workpiece,

a workpiece receiving trough arranged at the entry side of said cooling bed adapted to receive rapidly moving workpieces,

ti a workpiece engaging element arranged to contact with a workpiece passing through said trough, to efifect at least a partial deceleration of a moving workpiece,

a member associated with said workpiece engaging element arranged to receive a workpiece therefrom and to complete the deceleration of the workpiece, if necessary, and bring it to a stationary position for transfer to said cooling bed,

means for altering the movement of said advancing member of said cooling bed in relationship to said trough so that a portion of said advancing member can selectively be brought first adjacent to said member to engage and transfer a workpiece from said member to said cooling bed, and second adjacent to said trough to engage and transfer a workpiece from said trough to said cooling bed.

2. In a cooling bed, according to claim 1, including means for moving said advancing member of said cooling bed in an oscillating motion and,

adjustable means for determining the extent of movement of said advancing member in the direction toward said trough.

3. In a cooling bed, according to claim 1, in which said advancing member is slidably carried by a base,

force-exerting means for moving said advancing member slidably over said base toward and away from said trough.

4. In a cooling bed, according to claim 1, including a drive for moving said advancing member toward and away from said trough,

said drive including a sliding block,

means for adjusting said block to vary the length of the path of movement of said advancing member.

5. In a cooling bed, according to claim 1, wherein said advancing member of said cooling bed includes a series of workpiece lifting grooves,

said means for altering the movement of said advancing member being so constructed so as to selectively allow a groove of said advancing member to be brought either adjacent said member or adjacent said trough.

References Fitted by the Examiner FOREIGN PATENTS 6/1931 Italy. 

1. IN A COOLING BED, INCLUDING A REMOVABLE WORKPIECE ADVANCING MEMBER, FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING A ROLLED WORKPIECE, A WORKPIECE RECEIVING TROUGH ARRANGED AT THE ENTRY SIDE OF SAID COOLING BED ADAPTED TO RECEIVE RAPIDLY MOVING WORKPIECES, A WORKPIECE ENGAGING ELEMENT ARRANGED TO CONTACT WITH A WORKPIECE PASSING THROUGH SAID TROUGH, TO EFFECT AT LEAST A PARTIAL DECELERATION OF A MOVING WORKPIECE, A MEMBER ASSOCIATED WITH SAID WORKPIECE ENGAGING ELEMENT ARRANGED TO RECEIVE A WORKPIECE THEREFROM AND TO COMPLETE THE DECELERATION OF THE WORKPIECE, IF NECESSARY, AND BRING IT TO A STATIONARY POSITION FOR TRANSFER TO SAID COOLING BED, MEANS FOR ALTERING THE MOVEMENT OF SAID ADVANCING MEMBER OF SAID COOLING BED IN RELATION TO SAID 